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Grid Computing M (2004-2005)

Increasing interest from both the scientific and the more general large-scale information processing communities motivates the study of large-scale distributed systems. This module provides both a practically-oriented introduction to current technologies, focussing on Grid toolkits, and a principled overview of the deep underlying issues that arise in supporting large-scale multi-organisation computation.

Aims and Objectives

Grid Computing is a developing area: our understanding of the problem space is still evolving; systems and standards change frequently; there are many open research issues; and no-one has all the answers. Accordingly, we aim to: produce Grid-savvy individuals; encourage critical thinking about Grid-related technology; and pique your interest in Grid-related research issues.

Prerequisites

Students are expected to have completed computer science degree-level studies covering the areas of operating systems, distributed algorithms, communications and networks, databases, and internet technologies including web services. For Glasgow MSci and Honours students, this corresponds to the materials covered in OS3, DAS4, CA4 and NCT4.

Timetable

The module will be taught by Richard Sinnott (module coordinator), John Watt and Colin Perkins. It is timetabled Monday 12:00-13:00, Thursday 14:00-15:00 and Friday 09:00-10:00 for 10 weeks, starting on 30th September 2004. There is no set textbook for this module: instead papers will be handed out during lectures and tutorials (see below for a complete reading list).

The module will be taught using a mixture of lectures and tutorials. Some tutorials will be laboratory work, others will be for discussion of papers handed out during earlier lectures. Discussions will be led by groups of students assigned to read and present a paper: all students will be expected to participate in the discussions.

Recommended Reading

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Credits

This is a level M course, worth 10 credits.

Assessment

The module will be assessed by the combination of a written examination (70%) and marked coursework (30%). The marked coursework comprises three problem sets (each worth 5% of the total mark) and a single programming assignment (worth 15% of the total mark).

Lecture Slides

Coursework

Past exam papers